Doing their best to live up to their motto

BARRHEAD- The Scout's official motto is "Be Prepared". And nothing has been more of a test of that motto than the COVID-19  pandemic.

However, scouter (adult leader) Scott Robins of the Barrhead chapter of the Scouts says they have continued to meet despite the challenges of the pandemic, most notably adhering to the public health restrictions imposed by the province and their regional, provincial and national guiding bodies.

Scouts is a youth organization that provides youth from five to 26 years old opportunities to learn leadership qualities and skills through outdoor activities.

Although individual scouting chapters’ COVID-19 protocols are governed by the national organization through regional councils and are superseded by provincial public health restrictions, the scouting governing bodies are notoriously cautious and implemented guidelines more stringent than the governments.

"Which meant for a lot of the last year, we were able to adapt a lot of the scouting program and conduct virtual sessions," Robins said. "What we were focusing on at that time were conversations around our skill and personal achievement badges."

And while Robins and the other scout leaders believed the scouts were enjoying and getting something from the sessions, the number of kids taking part did drop off.

Which is understandable, he said, as the leaders and the Scouts much preferred having their activities outside, which is why everyone was pleased that in mid-January, the province eased restrictions to allow outdoor social gatherings of up to 10 people.

Since they were able to move the activities outdoors, Robins said participation has slowly been increasing.

On most weeks, the Scouts, including the younger Cubs and Beavers, have been meeting at the Glenreagh Community Hall, a few minutes outside of Barrhead.

With the exception of the occasional use of the restroom, all of the activities take place on the community hall grounds where physical distancing could be maintained. Participants are required to wear masks.

Due to the size of the grounds, the Scouts and Beavers, which are both co-ed, are able to accommodate, a large number of kids, and if there are enough scouters, they can break into smaller subgroups.

After a short introduction ceremony (riverbanks for Beavers or the grand howl for Scouts) the groups would build a fire and set up a lean-to shelter to let the kids get out of the wind.

"For most of the winter, how to set up a campsite was our theme," Robins said, adding the remaining time was spent working on learning crafting and personal skills.

Other activities included nature outings such as nature walks, snowshoeing and tobogganing.

Currently, the Scouts have taken a short hiatus one week earlier than planned due to the positive COVID-19 cases at the Barrhead high school and elementary school. However, the plan to return on April 16 for an investiture ceremony, where new scouters will receive their "neckers."

Neckers are the rolled triangular handkerchiefs, which scouters have worn since the organization's inception.

"We wear a handkerchief because it is one of the most versatile first-aid bandages," Robins said.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com